Once a scary problem no more

[STS06]

First I'd like to make clear that this is related to my dell desktop, not my IBM T42. I understand if the moderator takes this down but I see it as an OS problem that isn't really specific to any computer model or computer company.....so it can help me but also maybe help others. Also I have gotten very little help from Dell as you will find in my text below...I don't know who to turn to so this is my best bet for advice.

Today, my computer for some weird reason, was acting very slow and the shut down button wouldnt work...there seemed to be something running that was either taking too long to shut down..or I simply couldnt shut down. This is Windows XP by the way. So I restart and now my desktop icons have black backgrounds that impede the desktop image i had...so I try to change this via properties>theme and here my problem begins. I select classical windows theme and suddenly everything goes black...my desktop background is black, my toolbar is black and all the windows I open are all black with black text. The only visible things are my desktop icons and certain icons in the start menu. For example, on the toolbar, I cannot see my start button (its there but its black and so is the background) nor can I see the word "start" but I can see the windows icon. Similarly, when I click on start, the menu is completly dark but I can see certain icons....the seriousness is the inability to fix this problem. The computer is completely functional but I can't navigate b/c I am literally blind in Windows with this problem.

I first tried to boot in Safe Mode but everything was black there too...so I can't change any settings or really navigate in the comp at all. I call Dell..the tech says this is a first of this type of problem for him. He tells me to load the last known working config (via F8 when windows starts). This fails. He talks to his 2nd level tech boss or whatever, and directs me to their web-based chat....the chat people say this is a software problem and transfer me to software. The software people say the service isn't free...its gaurunteed that they'd find a solution but the charge is $99!!!...way too steep!

So basically no help from Dell. My plan now is to do the following:

First, back up as much info as i can (but incredibly hard since I can't navigate in windows)

2.) using my xp cd, update or do a reinstallation that doesnt delete the partition. This is my best bet I think b/c in the past, when doing this, my files were never lost but all the settings and some drivers were reset. If this works, I will back up my info on cds and then delete my parition and completely resintall XP but now my files and keepings are safe.

3.) if 2 fails, I will take the hard drive out and try to transfer my data (i have never done this before so don't know how it'll work). Then completely delete my partition and reinstall.

4.) if all else fails, I will have to delete partition and reinstall losing ALL my data.


I'm quite worried...I've had small problems in the past but this is scaring me....I need to save some important school files and family pics that I REALLY do not want to lose.

This is my plan but I'm hoping there's some other solution besides reinstalling my OS. So can anyone help?

Secondly, my number 2.....will it work. From your experience does reinstalling/updating windows (w/o deleting partition) via the cd delete any of the large files on my harddrive..ie. my data? I remember doing this once and realized that my info was still there along with some spyware (did this a looong itme ago) which prompted me to delete my parition and learning about all that.

ANY help is well appreciated. Thank you and good day.

[STS06]

Ok....so here's where my T42 is the HERO.

Using old school methods, I compared the locations of buttons on the desktop properties menu on my T42 and found my way around and changed it all! I can now actually see my computer!!!!

I new its was a stupid problem but I was in a perculiar spot b/c I didn't know any other way to change my desktop and windows appearance settings without accessing it through properties...etc..(which involved navigating in windows)

I still have a problem with my desktop icons having their individual backgrounds. But, my computer is now accessable and navigatable (not a word, I know). SO, my ranty post has been fixed. My computer is still acting a bit goofy and I haven't reinstalled my OS in over a year (i typically did it every six months). So now i will definietely back up ALL my important data and reinstall this baby. I will try to delete these posts in a few since they do no good anymore.

Man that scared me! But without the T42, I wouldnt be able to ask for help or do what I did....IBM saves the day! haha. Now I'm slightly embarassed about the whole thing....and I can laugh about it now!

[BillMorrow]

that SURE sounds like a virus of some sort got into your settings and changed every color to black..
either that or windoze had a brain fart and went black, like b. gates soul..

and

no, this will not be removed..
this is exactly the sort of thing we do here..